The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-29

CaiuP III SlSHl.
Here you are thenl" exclaimed Cap
tain Henry; "you seem determined to
bring luggage enough"
"Just a change all around" was the
reply GAIL right"
The coachman touched his horse,
gently with the whip, and off they
started. The breeze was strong, bu,
inland the people were sheltered. |,
was different with US in the FREELY.
We got on very well for a while
the breeze was rather behind us, and
sent us dashing along beautifully. BY
degrees, however. the yacht began to
plunge deeper and deeper. The sea
got up, and broke on board frequently.
| didn't care, as ] was accustomed TO
salt war, and | minded the boy.
Lady Pardock came and stood by
me. 81 think Captain Armstrong as
right, Mrs. Farmer" she said. II
heard the master tell Mr. Hemphill
that the wind wa9 veering to the south.
west AT that moment Mr.. Hemphill
came up with Mrs. Cardewe, who was
glad to lie back in the stern of the
yacht aud be covered with shawls and
tarpaulins She looked wreSched
81 think that it would be more pru-
dent to run for Weymouth at once, "
said Mr.. Hemphill "If we put into
Ludworth-supposing we can make the
entrance, which is doubtfu-we can
get no real accommodation. Now at
Il al,
train and the telegraph, plenty of
shops, and so on.
The ladies agreed to the suggestion,
aud the yacht was headed for Port
land Bill, Even Lady Pardock had
had enough Of the sea water before
sunset. The waves dashed in and
forced us to 90 below. The wind rose,
rs one who remembers that afternoon
in September will recollect. 1t got
fierce by five o'clock and positively
boisterous by six. Great waves rolled
up from the southwest, and we plung-
ed fearfully into the sea We had
only a jib on her, and two reefs in the
malnsail were taken in.
Nevertheless we plunged on to wind
ward, for the captain did not dare to
turn now and "scud.' We tackled and
tacKed, beating uutil the sun went down
and we did not seem to be much near
er Weymouth or Portland Roads, for
which we were aiming. From Port
land Island the great Chesil Beach,
knew, and so did all the sailors, extend
ed right away to Bridgeport, where
the mis- ghty Portland stones have
dwindled through all shapes and sizes
of pebbles to sand and gravel; and the
biggest always the highest up the bank.
The captain or sailing was
brave enough, but anxious; the crew
were sturdy; the gentlemen on board
were serious; the ladies very ill and
quite careless of danger. The liltle
heir was fast asleep in my arms, aud
as we heeled over and listened 20 the
slapping and dashing of the waves out
side and the rush of water across the
deck. | prayed earnestly and wonder
ed whether we should ever see Carde We
Manor again.
1t was evening and we were past
Portland Bill. The captain said we
must go about and run in on the tide
to make all the leeway up. The wind
was dead on shore. The waves beat
high upon the Chesil Bank, and if l
could 40 some fine writing could tell
you about the curling tops of the masses
of water which poured on the shingIe.
But that was nothing to the next days
sea. That | shall never forget.
The FREELY had been sighted and
considerable anxiety had been express
ed about her. Little did | think that
among the people who were watching
us were Charley and Captain Arm
strong, in fear for the result. Charley
told me afterward that the captain was
as cool as ever, and apparently afraid
of getting wet; so he hired cab and
drove down through Weymouth to the
Island, leaving Mr.. and Mrs. Martyr.
Henry at the hotel to receive the party
if they ran alongside the pier safely.
The evening was deepening into a
clustering and stormy night, as Char
ley and Captain Armstrong drove to
Portland, and our yacht was driving
on. We were still below when the
easier motion of the yacht, consequent
on our running before the wind, in
duced us to go on deck. Behind US
was limi,less tumbllng sea, dark
clouds ard rain; in front the Chesii
bank, the island with its quarries and
its prisoners, and the smooth waters
of the road beyond. In an hour or so
we should be riding alongside the pier
or in the harbor or pulling ashore to
catch the train home. So we said
F., But how is this' We are not going
for the harbor direct! Yes, we are
what is that behind usi-a roar, then
flash, aud, another roar. Blow, blow,
good wind, ere the storm overtake Us,
or we shall fare badly. Flap! flap
The wind has suddenly failed u.s. "We
are in the centre of little cyclone"
So said the captain.
"Bear a hand, men; we shall be TAX
en- aback in a minute J. shouted the
master, rushing to the tiller. "Furl,
all-up with her-leave the jib alone,
clew up the malnsail, smart ?''
No time to lose, Flap! Boom
comes the wind from the northeast
with rush. The Frehy heels over
like toy; the jib strains, "Up with
the helm!' The canvas splits with a
fearful rending, ripping report, and the
yacht drives upon Portland.
STEADY, menl All hands out of the
dinghy Remember the women and
the child Bend the foresail. Let
her rum" roared the master. The
yacht paid off, and turning her back
on the sea, rushed down channel
alas, into a tide eddy, which sucked
under the rocks of Portland Island as